Southern Meatloaf Recipe (Classic, Tender & Flavorful)
This Southern meatloaf is tender, juicy, and full of comforting flavor, made with crushed crackers, sautéed veggies, and a sweet-tangy glaze.
Equipment
- oven
- baking sheet
- loaf pan
- Skillet
- mixing bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
For the Meatloaf
- 2 pounds ground beef 80/20 recommended for tenderness
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 1 whole green bell pepper finely diced (use jalapenos for spicier)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup crushed saltine crackers or use Ritz crackers for extra buttery richness, or bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, but highly recommended
- ½ to 1 teaspoon cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes optional Chili Pepper Madness touch
For the Glaze
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard optional for extra tang
- 1 pinch cayenne or dash of hot sauce optional
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the Oven. Heat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet or loaf pan with parchment or foil for easier cleanup.
- Sauté the Veggies. Heat a bit of oil in a skillet. Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook 5-6 minutes, until softened. Stir in garlic for the last 30 seconds. Cool slightly.
- Mix the Meatloaf. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked vegetables, crackers, eggs, milk, Worcestershire, ketchup, and seasonings. Mix gently with your hands just until combined. Don’t overwork it or it can become mealy - that’s the difference between tender and tough.
- Shape & Bake. Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape on your baking sheet (or press into a loaf pan). Bake 45 minutes. TIP: Add a small pan filled with water to the oven to keep the meatloaf moist.
- Add the Glaze. Whisk the glaze ingredients together. Brush half over the meatloaf. Bake another 15-20 minutes, until internal temp reaches 160°F. Drain off any excess grease if desired. Brush the remaining glaze on top before serving.
- Rest. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. This is important for moist meatloaf and clean slices. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 399kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 23gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 739mgPotassium: 520mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 435IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 3mg
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